Archives

March 2009 Archives

Global Organic Cotton Market Hits $3.2 Billion in 2008, New Organic Exchange Report Shows - 2009-03-31
"Lubbock, TX (Vocus) March 31, 2009 -- Global retail sales of organic cotton apparel and home textile products reached an estimated $3.2 billion in 2008, according to the Organic Cotton Market Report 2007-2008 released by the non-profit organization Organic Exchange today. This represents a 63% increase from the $1.9 billion market in 2007..."

Early soy intake may slash breast cancer risk later in life - 2009-03-31
"High intakes of soy during childhood may reduce a woman’s risk of breast cancer later in life by 58 per cent, according to a new study..."

Corn Ethanol Concerns Spread to Oregon - 2009-03-31
"The Oregon legislature is jumping into the anti-ethanol fight as it considers five bills that would limit the reach of the corn-based product in the state..."

Concrete Is Remixed With Environment in Mind - 2009-03-31
"Soaring above the Mississippi River just east of downtown Minneapolis is one remarkable concrete job. There on Interstate 35W, the St. Anthony Falls Bridge carries 10 lanes of traffic on box girders borne by massive arching piers, which are supported, in turn, by footings and deep pilings..."

U-M awarded for algae to biofuel plan - 2009-03-31
"A plan to use algae to simultaneously treat wastewater and produce the raw materials for biofuels has won the inaugural Clean Energy Prize.The competition was sponsored by DTE Energy, the University of Michigan, the Masco Corporation Foundation and the Kresge Foundation to encourage entrepreneurship in Michigan and the development of clean energy technology..."

Toshiba, Sharp Say May Work Together In Solar Power - 2009-03-30
Japan's Toshiba Corp and Sharp Corp said on Friday they are considering working together in the solar power business amid growing demand for cleaner energy, sending their shares higher.

Economic Blues Don't Fade Rise Of Green Travel Management - 2009-03-30
Green travel management has not waned despite a soured economy and travel buyers' focus increasingly turning to finding cost savings. Buyers have made environmental awareness part of such broader travel-curbing demand management initiatives as remote conferencing deployment, and suppliers' green credentials continue to mature.

Converted Organics Inc. Announces over $1.5 Million in Revenue - 2009-03-30
Converted Organics Inc. (NASDAQ:COIN) announced today that the Company has filed its Form 10-K annual report with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), announcing revenue of $1,548,000 for the year ended December 31, 2008.

Chile Miners Look To Tap Desert Geyser Energy - 2009-03-30
Miners in northern Chile, the source of a third of the world's copper, may be sitting on the answer to energy shortages that make electricity in the zone among the world's most expensive.

It’s Not Easy Turning Co-op Boards Green - 2009-03-24
"Seated at an oval table with spreadsheets and calculators at the ready, the six-member board of River Arts, a 244-unit co-op development in Washington Heights, mulled over the pros and cons of investing in solar power..."

As climate changes, is water the new oil? - 2009-03-24
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - If water is the new oil, is blue the new green? Translation: if water is now the kind of precious commodity that oil became in the 20th century, can delivery of clean water to those who need it be the same sort of powerful force as the environmental movement in an age of climate change?

Pea protein may cut blood pressure and help kidneys: Study - 2009-03-24
"Proteins from pea may reduce blood pressure and improve kidney health, says a new study from Canada. Rats fed pea protein hydrolysate extracted from the yellow garden pea experienced a 20 per cent drop in blood pressure when compared to rats on a normal diet, scientists from the University of Manitoba told attendees at the American Chemical Society's 237th National Meeting..."

Three Lessons We Still Haven't Learned 20 Years After the Exxon Valdez Oil Spill - 2009-03-24
"It's hard to argue that there's a more lasting and clear example of the destructive force that unchecked corporate greed has on our environment and communities than the Exxon Valdez oil spill that devastated Alaska's Prince William Sound 20 years ago today..."

EPA Sends CO2 Endangerment Finding Proposal To White House - 2009-03-24
"WASHINGTON -(Dow Jones)- The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on Friday sent a proposed rule to the White House's Office of Management and Budget that says carbon dioxide is a danger to the public, according to federal records published Monday..."

EFSA on omega-3 claims: yes to eye health, no to brain - 2009-03-24
"The French arm of Mead Johnson Nutritionals has had two omega-3, eye health claims approved by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), but had three infant brain health claim turned down by the scientific assessor. Mead in February became the first company to have an omega-3, eye health, infant formula claim approved by EFSA and the latest article 14 positive opinions add strength to that approval although these vindications relate to two of its proprietary ingredients – Enfamil and Lipil..."

Why Obama's green jobs plan might work - 2009-03-19
"President-elect Barack Obama wants to spend $150 billion over the next decade to promote energy from the sun, wind and other renewable sources as well as energy conservation. Plans include raising vehicle fuel-economy standards and subsidizing consumer purchases of plug-in hybrids. Obama wants to weatherize 1 million homes annually and upgrade the nation's creaky electrical grid. His team has talked of providing tax credits and loan guarantees to clean-energy companies..."

The Trek Stop - 2009-03-19
"Nestled within 22 acres of forest but easily accessible by bus, and designed with both environmental friendliness and comfort in mind, The Trek Stop is the ideal base for exploring Cayo or just relaxing in a natural setting. WIth the ambience of an eco-jungle lodge but with budget hotel prices, The Trek Stop was named one of the best lodging values in Belize by Lan Sluder's Belize First! and is recommended by Rough Guides, Moon's Belize Handbook, Lonely Planet, and Fodor's guide books..."

In the Bahamas, Paradise Without Guilt - 2009-03-19
"Trade winds, sun and current — Mr. Sklar, 41, a Savannah, Ga., developer, and his partners plan to harness all of them to generate electricity on Star Island (www.starislandbahamas.com), a 35-acre cay near the Bahamian island of Eleuthera. The goal is to turn the island, now home to nothing but sand, coral rock and trees, into the world’s first truly carbon-neutral resort island — uncompromisingly luxurious, but without any reliance on fossil fuels that add carbon dioxide to the atmosphere..."

Europe’s Way of Encouraging Solar Power Arrives in the U.S. - 2009-03-19
"Put simply, the idea is to pay homeowners and businesses top dollar for producing green energy. In Germany, for example, a homeowner with a rooftop solar system may be paid four times more to produce electricity than the rate paid to a coal-fired power plant..."

Dohaland sponsors Meed Qatar Green Buildings 2009 - 2009-03-19
"Guided by its mission to build sustainable, innovative developments that enrich communities and promote environmentally friendly living, Dohaland has sponsored the Meed Middle East Qatar Green Buildings 2009 conference beginning today at the W Doha Hotel, Qatar..."

Black Beans: Nutrition From South of the Border - 2009-03-19
"Beans are nature’s health food. They have an exceptionally high fiber content, and they’re a fine source of protein, as well as calcium, iron, folic acid and potassium. Black beans stand out because in that shiny black coating, there are at least eight different flavonoids, which are antioxidants. Called anthocyanins, they’re found in red grapes and red wine, red cabbage and other dark red fruits and vegetables. Black beans also contain small amounts of omega-3 fats, three times as much as other legumes provide..."

Florida may unveil CO2 cap-and-trade program by January 2010 - 2009-03-17
"The state of Florida plans to unveil by January a design for a carbon cap-and-trade scheme for its electric generators, with a preliminary draft expected by August 30, the state's environmental regulators said at Wednesday workshop in Tallahassee..."

Ontario Unveils Green Energy and Green Economy Act, 2009 - 2009-03-17
"Just one week after U.S. President Obama signed into law the America Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 with billions set aside to promote the build-out of new renewable energy capacity and make the U.S. more energy efficient, Ontario's Premier Dalton McGuinty and Energy Minister George Smitherman unveiled a plan to infuse the Canadian province with green energy and energy efficiency improvements..."

Expanding the Option of Organic Skin Care Lines - 2009-03-17
Guest Editor Emily Rutan reviews the options of expanding skin care lines due to both health awareness and a growing market.

Health Benefits Of Garlic Traced To Acid Produced In Decomposing Organic Compound - 2009-03-17
"Researchers have widely believed that the organic compound, allicin - which gives garlic its aroma and flavour - acts as the world's most powerful antioxidant. But until now it hasn't been clear how allicin works, or how it stacks up compared to more common antioxidants such as Vitamin E and coenzyme Q10, which stop the damaging effects of radicals..."

Green Investing in the Troubled Real Estate Market - 2009-03-12
"Seems at least a few brave investors are toying with residential real estate after the subprime fallout slashed real estate investment trusts, or REITs, more than 37 percent last year..."

Eco Tourism in India - 2009-03-12
Ecotourism destinations in India. "Rishikesh- In Sanskrit, Rishikesh means -he who has conquered his senses. Rishikesh is centered by the Holy River Ganga. This is among the best place for river rafting as here the Ganga is bounded by the green Himalayas from both the sides. Rishikesh is popular center of learning yoga and here we have many of the ayurvedic pharmacies."

Red Grapes Natural Cure For High Cholesterol & Blood Pressure - 2009-03-12
"An extract made from components of red grapes that are regularly discarded by vineyards may dramatically reduce the risk of heart disease, above and beyond the well-known health benefits of red wine, researchers have found..."

Are Couch-Potato Shoppers Greener than Mall Rats? - 2009-03-10
“When shopping, is it greener to order off the Internet or drive to the mall?The answer — at least for those patronizing Buy.com — is the Internet, says a new study from researchers at Carnegie Mellon University.The study compared the energy use — and emissions — of ordering items on Buy.com, versus shopping at actual brick-and-mortar retailers...”

'Natural' weight-loss supplements may be a health hazard - 2009-03-10
"The names of the weight-loss supplements say it all: 7 Day Herbal Slim, 2 Day Diet, and even 24 Hours Diet. Those are just three of dozens of different brands touted as all-natural ways to shed pounds, and lose them super fast. But according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, nothing could be further from the truth..."

Ethanol from ‘Energy Cane’ (and Someday, Orange Peels) - 2009-03-10
"Could ethanol one day be made from Florida’s orange peels? Carlos Riva, the president and chief executive of the cellulosic ethanol developer Verenium, isn’t sold on the idea yet..."